If you’re looking for ways to save on energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint, installing home solar panels is a good idea—especially on Cape Cod.
We pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country in Massachusetts, and going solar can significantly reduce your bills. Plus, Massachusetts is a solar-friendly state. There are strong incentives available here that reduce your installation costs and increase your long-term savings.
Here’s why solar panels make sense on Cape Cod, and what you should consider before installing them on your home.
Why Cape Cod Is a Great Place for Solar
- High Savings Potential
Solar panels save the most money for homeowners with high electricity bills, which makes Cape Cod homes perfect candidates.
We pay an average of 29.94 cents per kWh for electricity in Massachusetts. That’s head and shoulders above the national average of 17.47 cents per kWh. In Eastern Mass and on the Cape, rates are even higher.
You can bring your costs down significantly with solar, even with a small system that offsets just a portion of your usage. With a custom system from My Generation Energy, solar power could fully cover your electricity usage.
“I couldn’t be happier with my solar panel project… look at that Eversource bill (No Payment Due may be my new favorite words).”
~ Laurel H
- Strong Net Metering Policies
Massachusetts offers net metering, which lets you sell the extra power your solar panels generate to your electricity provider in exchange for credit. Your credit offsets the cost of electricity you buy from your provider when your solar panels aren’t producing electricity (like at night).
- State & Federal Tax Incentives
Residential solar panels are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit plus an additional $1,000 state income tax credit in Massachusetts. That brings down your installation costs significantly. They’re also exempt from property tax assessments, so your property taxes won’t go up even if solar adds value to your home, which it’s likely to do.
Heads Up! Federal Tax Credits Expire Soon. You must install your solar panels by December 31, 2025, to qualify. Reach out to us today to get started before federal tax credits are gone.
Common Solar Challenges on Cape Cod & How to Overcome Them
- Historic District Regulations
Living in a historic district means your solar installation needs approval from your town’s historic committee. New laws have softened regulations, but there are still standards your installation must meet to preserve the historical look and feel of your neighborhood.
At My Generation Energy, we know how to comply with regulations and obtain fast approvals for your installation. We’ve installed dozens of solar systems in historic districts on Cape Cod with solutions like:
- Strategic panel placement to minimize visibility from the road
- All-black panels that blend into your roof
- Steep Roofs with Minimal Space
Many houses on Cape Cod have steep, gabled roofs, which can limit the amount of space available for solar panels.
Usually, we can work around limitations and find a solution that works for your roof. We’ve even installed highly effective solar panels on north-facing dormers when the south-facing side of the roof wasn’t an option.
There are also alternatives, like ground-mounted solar panels. Ground-mounts aren’t ideal for every home, but if you have the yard space and not the roof space, they can be a great option.
Ground-mounted solar panels at a home in Brewster, MA, installed by My Generation Energy
- Sunlight Availability
We get plenty of sunlight in the summer, but how well does solar perform during the winter on Cape Cod? You might be surprised.
Solar panels only need light, not heat, to generate electricity, which means they work all year long. Even in a state like Massachusetts, you will produce power during the winter.
Winter production will naturally be lower, but that’s where net metering comes in. In Massachusetts, unused net metering credits roll over month to month. This allows you to bank credits during the sunny summer months and use them to offset your higher grid power costs in winter, when your solar system produces less.
Is Solar Right for Your Home? Find Out with a Free Assessment
If you’re considering a solar panel installation on Cape Cod or the Islands, the first step is to schedule an assessment with My Generation Energy. We’ll take a look at your roof and energy bills, estimate your costs and savings, and answer all your questions.
We’re a locally owned and operated solar company, and we’ve installed hundreds of solar panels on Cape Cod. Our team knows what works best in our climate, how to comply with local regulations, and how to maximize your savings.
